Drought Worsens To Extreme Along State Line, Severe Rest Of Escambia
October 6, 2023
A severe drought continues across most of Escambia County in Florida but has expanded into an extreme drought across a small portion of North Escambia and across Escambia County in Alabama.
In North Escambia, the Nokomis, Davisville and Bratt areas along the state line are in the extreme drought area.
In the next week, there is only a small chance of rain on Friday.
According to the National Weather Service in Mobile:
- Many local streams and rivers have shown some degradation in flow and stage remaining at below or much below normal levels. This can lead to hazards and increased difficulty in safe navigation of recreational boating and commercial waterway needs.
- Crop condition in the driest of areas remains very poor and pasture lands provide little to no livestock feed. Supplemental feeding is required to maintain livestock condition.
- Increase in air-borne allergens likely to create problems for respiratory sensitive groups.
- Water conservation techniques are strongly encouraged in drought areas
Second Suspect Charged In Deadly Atmore Shooting
October 6, 2023
A second suspect has been charged with a fatal shooting last May in Atmore.
Wiley Tait, Jr., 42, was charged this week with murder and discharging a firearm in connection with the shooting death of 31-year old Robert Starks. Starks was shot in the area of Carver Avenue and King Street about 2:15 a.m. on May 29 and later died from his injuries.
Eric DePaul Mitchell, 44, was charged in late June with murder and discharging a firearm for the shooting.
No motive has been released by the Atmore Police Department.
Pictured above: Wiley Tait, Jr. Pictured below: Eric DePaul Mitchell.
Photos: Century Head Start Program Visits Cantonment Pumpkin Patch
October 6, 2023
The Century Head Start program visited a Cantonment pumpkin patch for a story time.
The children enjoyed a special story and a chance to see the Allen Memorial Methodist Men’s Pumpkin Patch.
For more photos, click or tap here.
The pumpkin patch is located on Highway 29 near Neal Road and is open from 10:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1-6 p.m. on Sundays.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click enlarge.
Here Is Tonight’s High School Football Schedule
October 6, 2023
Here is tonight’s North Escambia area high school football schedule:
FLORIDA
- West Florida at Tate
- Northview at Baker
- Holmes County at Jay
- Pine Forest at Niceville
- Godby at Washington
- Pensacola Catholic at Gulf Breeze
- Pike Liberal Arts (Ala.) at Lighthouse Private Christian Academy
- Mosley at Navarre
- Pace 49, Pensacola High 0 (Thursday pm)
ALABAMA
- Thomasville at Flomaton
- Pickens Academy at Escambia Academy
- Escambia County (Atmore) at Jackson
- T.R. Miller at Bayside (Daphne)
- W.S. Neal at Cottage Hill (Mobile)
Pictured:: The Tate Aggies beat the Milton Panthers 45-7 last Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Local Teachers Receive Foundation Grants For Excellence
October 6, 2023
The Escambia County Public Schools Foundation is awarding over $100,000 in grants to teachers, schools and departments through its Grants for Excellence program for the current school year. These funds are being awarded to 17 recipients, focusing on Literacy, Low Performing Students & Graduation Rates. This year, grants awarded are between $2,000 and $7,500 for high-impact projects.
Grants for Excellence recipients are:
- Lacey Blackmon — Jim Allen Elementary School
- Lori Perkins — McArthur Elementary School
- Kristin Maum — J.M. Tate High School
- Shannon Rowe — Scenic Heights Elementary School
- Stephanie Odom — Montclair Elementary School
- Brooke Ferrara — Beulah Elementary School
- Roberta Wetzel — Jim C. Bailey Middle School
- Molly O’Connor — Roy Hyatt Environmental Center
- Jennifer Kemp — C.A. Weis Elementary
- Julia Britt — Bellview Middle School
- Yohana Lopez — Ensley Elementary School
- Sabra Kuhlman — Holm Elementary School
- Elizabeth Greenberg — Montclair Elementary School
- Megan Currie — Scenic Heights Elementary School
- Rebecca Hatch — Molino Park Elementary School
- Suzanne DeLay — ECPS Math and Science Department
- Stacey Duncan — McArthur Elementary School
Grants for Excellence are funded by the Escambia County Public School Foundation and matching grant funds from the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations through the School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program.
Pictured: Molly O’Connor and the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center were one of the recipients of a Grant for Excellence. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Home Near McDavid, Sending One To The Hospital
October 5, 2023
Fire destroyed a home near McDavid Thursday afternoon and sent one person to the hospital.
About 4:11 p.m., a passerby reported the fire on the front porch of the home in the 1800 block of Lambert Bridge Road, just west of Pine Barren Road.
The occupants of the home were able to escape. One person was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital for evaluation. Family pets reportedly did not escape the blaze.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The McDavid, Walnut Hill and Century stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded.
For additional photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Semi Hauling 14 Crushed Vehicles Crashes On I-10
October 5, 2023
A semi hauling 14 crushed cars crashed on I-10 just west of Pensacola Boulevard Thursday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 61-year old Mobile man lost control of hs semi and crashed in the median. The trailer became separated from the truck, causing the trailer to overturn multiple times into the median — depositing 14 crushed cars into the median.
There were no injuries, but traffic was delayed for the cleanup.
New $2.7 Million Locker, Multipurpose Building Completed At Ashton Brosnaham Park
October 5, 2023
Construction is complete on a new $2.7 million multiuse locker room facility at Ashton Brosnaham Park.
The two story facility will serve as additional locker room space for the SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament and other sporting events. Features at the facility include restrooms and showers for team sports use, an open space with sliding walls on the first floor, and meeting and office spaces on the second floor. The open space on the first floor will be available for rent and can be used for meetings, birthday parties and other events.
“We have an incredible team in our Parks department who understand the value recreation brings to our quality of life in Escambia County,” said Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes. “Contractors and our staff have worked hard to finish this new building in time for the 2023 SEC tournament, and I am incredibly proud we could meet this timeline. Additionally, we have made improvements to our soccer turf that will not only fit the needs of the elite athletes in the Southeastern Conference but will also benefit the local soccer players along with our local colleges.”
The Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex will serve as the location for the Southeastern Conference Women’s Soccer Tournament for the second year in a row, October 29 through November 5. The 2022 event saw record-breaking attendance numbers and generated $2.5 million in local economic impact.
“I’m thrilled with the work our Parks department has done at Ashton Brosnaham over the last year,” said District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry. “I want to thank Michael Rhodes and his team for their diligent work to make Ashton Brosnaham one of the best parks in Escambia County. I also want to thank Ray Palmer and Pensacola Sports for their strong partnership and advocacy in bringing high-level sports to our county. District 5 looks forward to welcoming the SEC again in the coming weeks.”
“We are thankful to Escambia County and Pensacola Sports for providing a tremendous venue to conduct our SEC Soccer Championship,” said SEC Associate Commissioner/SWA Tiffany Daniels. “Their proven commitment to this event with the addition of this building promises to provide lasting memories for our student-athletes and an outstanding experience for SEC soccer fans from across the region.”
A ribbon cutting for the new building will be held in about two weeks.
Photos for and NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle Names Students Of The Month
October 5, 2023
Ernest Ward Middle School has named their September Students of the Month. They are Audrey Franklin, Kyndal Hadley and Emily Maughon. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Six People, Including Three Children, Injured In Escambia County Wreck
October 5, 2023
Six people, including three children, were injured in a serious wreck Wednesday afternoon in Escambia County.
The driver of a black Buick failed to yield the right of way and turned in front of another vehicle on Highway 98 near Fairfield Drive, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Two passengers were ejected from the Buick.
The 75-year old Buick driver and passengers — ages 12 years, two years, and an infant under age one — were all seriously injured. The 18-year old driver of the second vehicle received minor injuries while his 18-year old passenger was seriously injured.
Troopers said the infant and 2-year old were not in proper child restraints.
The FHP is continuing their investigation.
File photo.